Transfer Innovation Impact Model Initiative

The Chicago Community Trust, in partnership with the Kinship Foundation and funded through the Searle Funds at The Chicago Community Trust, is releasing the Transfer Innovation Impact Model (TIIM) – Household Wealth Request for Proposals (RFP). This funding opportunity invites bachelor’s degree-granting institutions in the Chicago area to apply for a one-year planning grant to develop innovative transfer models that dramatically improve the bachelor’s degree completion rate for Chicago community college students. This grant is part of the Trust’s ongoing efforts to advance equity and economic mobility, especially for Black, Latine, and low-income students in Cook County.

The TIIM initiative creates a learning community among grant recipients to foster data sharing, best practice development, and collaboration. The ultimate goal is to identify and promote strategies that help students complete their bachelor’s degrees within two to three years after transferring from community college. The program prioritizes uncovering barriers to student success, creating innovative transfer pathways, and fostering institutional and community partnerships that support students both academically and personally.

Eligible applicants must be bachelor’s degree-granting institutions located in the Chicago area, partnering with a Cook County community college and at least one nonprofit organization that provides student support services. Each institution can submit up to two applications, but each must involve a different community college partner. Funded institutions will be required to share data disaggregated by race and gender, and participate in the learning community for continuous improvement. Data and outcomes will also be compiled into annual public reports to further learning and transparency.

The grant will be awarded in two phases. Phase 1 provides five planning grants of $300,000 each for a one-year term. Successful Phase 1 grantees will then be invited to apply for Phase 2, which will offer implementation grants of up to $1,700,000 over three years. Applications for the planning grant must include a clear outline of a proposed three-year implementation plan, identifying each partner’s role and detailing how the partnership will improve student outcomes.

The application process includes several key dates: the RFP release date of February 6, 2025, an information session in February 2025, the Letter of Intent (LOI) deadline on March 6, 2025, and the full application deadline on April 24, 2025. Final funding decisions will be announced on June 26, 2025, with public announcements made on September 16, 2025. Letters of agreement from partners are required for the full application, and Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) will be needed for Phase 2.